X5 wreck experience
 

Eveyone...Thanks for all the comforting comments. It really means a lot. My son is a little skittish riding around in cars now...but he will be fine. He's a tough little guy and doesnt seem to fear much. He (and my daughter) are the greatest things that have ever happened to me. We just got a little closer last night. :)

On another note: I am pretty sure there is nothing more painful than burns caused by the explosion from an airbag, but I am thankful it was there....The extended family members on X5world have really helped me deal with this. All will be well...and my next ride will be another X5. My brother (owns a dealer) has already put an APB on one...The problem...is finding one with the options mine had on it. I may have to strip more out of than I planned. I want those damn comfort seats and the nav system has already been pulled. Insurance will pick up all items purchased in the last 30 days from an authroized BMW dealer....(GEICO rules) They will handle the claim...and go after the other guys insurance company. Again...there is a possibility that it can be rebuilt...but I think that depends if there is any frame damage.

first airbag experience... I seem to have a very clear recollection of this... I had sunglasses on...I knew the collision was eminent so just before impact I closed my eyes. I never lost control of the car. I remember feeling the ABS pulse and trying to swerve a little. There just wasnt enought time to do anything. Airbag goes off and car stops. I make sure Robbie is ok and then do a body part inventory check...no breaks...just pain coming from right wrist and right thigh (airbag burns) Other than the burns... I did not feel the airbag impact at all or the seat belt restraining me. I do not have the classic seat belt burns like some people get in a frontal collision. I am not even sore today other than the burns. Robbie says he did not even realize we hit something until he got out of the car and saw the dodge ram turned around on rolled over on its side and damage to my car. Again...no seat belt burns on him either. I am so impressed by the way the X5 protected us that I will send an letter to BMW explaining the situation. Guys...this car we own is a tank. I really have a lot of confidence in the X5...much more so than before.

Sorry for the long post..but I figured I would share some of the experience with you.

Philip

It's great to hear you and your son are ok.. The X5 is an amazing vehicle.. Not many cars can hold up the way it does. It's always good to hear stories where a car has saved a life. My friend's mom has a similar story about her Volvo Cross Country. She was doing about 55 (only 5 over the limit) and a beer truck pulled out from a restaurant and she struck the rear axle, but she walked away from the accident unharmed.

If you want to write to BMW magazine to have your story published, here's the address:
BMW Magazine
300 Chesnut Ridge Road
Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677

You can also do it online at bmwusa.com/magazine

You might already have those, but there they are anyway.
Good luck with everything, and glad you're ok!

Once again it good to hear that you and your son are OK. Make sure you do not have any whiplash or neck/back pains. Last time when I had acccident I had back pains starting right after 2 days. Geico is pretty good in handling claims. :thumbup:

Glad to hear about the airbag experience. When I got hit, the pain also did not start for a couple of days. So take some Motrin or Ibuprofen and it should decrease the pain and discomfort later. The best to you. And just go get the 4.8i and you don't have to worry about the options :)

How well does the anti-whiplash system in the X5 work? What car was your accident in? I think perhaps, the system worked in this case. :dunno:

Really glad you and your son are OK Phillip. If there is anything I can do, let me know, I am not that far away from you.

Larry

And yes, I love the X5 as well. Feel very safe in it.

The X5 takes licking and keeps on ticking. I had a buddy of mine that works for a very prominent body shop here in Atlanta look at it. He says more than likely it is not totalled and the damage is far less than it looks. All damage happened above the engine and frame. Frame support and bumper support are not even touched.

In other words, it sounds like mostly cosmetic damage. Make sure they only use BMW parts if/when they undertake the repairs.

Again, Phil, I'm glad you and your son came through the accident just fine :thumbup:

Good to hear (although you may have been salivating for a 4.8 :drool: ).

I like the 4.8...it is just not worth the cost difference to me. If this X5 is not totalled...it will look just like a 4.8 when I am done with it. :D